Rami Matikainen, Bachelor of Maritime Management, Captain

What made you apply specifically to Novia?

I’m from Turku and have lived here my whole life. It was natural to continue studying here, since I had previously studied in Rauma and already worked for several years. Novia’s adult education program suited me well.

How did you experience the studies in general?

What was the best part of your study time? I especially liked that the studies were scheduled so that you focused on one or two subjects per week. That made it possible to study alongside work. I wasn’t particularly diligent in school before, but at Novia the teaching was good and practical, giving me strong tools for working life.

How did it feel to study in Swedish, since your native language is Finnish? Was it challenging at first?

Honestly, I only took a few courses in Swedish, the rest were in English. That helped a lot. In the beginning I was nervous, but I quickly realized that language wasn’t a real obstacle.

Do you remember a specific moment, project, or course that has stayed in your memory?

The advanced course on the Rules of the Road at Sea was very rewarding. We went deeper into practical situations and how the rules are interpreted in different contexts.

What are you doing now, and how has your education helped you get there?

After graduating, I continued at ESL Shipping, where I had already been working. I quickly advanced to Chief Officer and then to Master. Now I’m the Captain of M/S Viikki, and in addition to cargo operations, my work includes various development projects, such as trials with remote pilotage.

Do you have any tips for Finnish- or English-speaking applicants who are considering applying to a Swedish-language university of applied sciences?

Go ahead and apply. If your Swedish skills are weak, it may require some extra effort and work, but it’s worth it. It’s always an asset to know multiple languages.

What advice would you give to current students?

Go to your internship with the mindset that it’s a longer job interview. We often hire interns later for summer jobs based on the impression they make. Don’t hide away in the cabin. Be active, social, and willing to learn. We all started from the bottom.

M/S Viikki is part of the Remote Pilotage MVP project coordinated by Novia. What do you think about remote pilotage?

I see it as good support for the Master, especially when obtaining new pilot licenses or when weather conditions are challenging. In Denmark the system is already well advanced, and in Finland, promising trials have also been carried out. Remote pilotage can increase safety, reduce costs, and bring new operating models into shipping.

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